eHemp: better service for producers, more specialty products for consumers
10 March 2025 17:42
Starting March 10, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine will launch the eCannabis electronic system. This is reported by the Government portal, "Komersant Ukrainian" informs.
As explained in the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food, the main goal of the system is to restore Ukraine’s leadership in the cultivation of technical hemp and reduce possible corruption and abuse risks.
“The new eHemp service will contribute to the development of this industry, as the use of industrial hemp is extremely wide – from light and food industries to pulp and paper. Hemp is a high-margin niche crop that has ample opportunities for processing,” said Vitaliy Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.
How will the launch of the eHemp system help?
Implementation of the system will ensure the publicity and openness of the industrial hemp market and will contribute to the growth of entities that grow and process hemp for industrial purposes in domestic and foreign markets.
Legal entities engaged in the cultivation and processing of hemp for industrial purposes have access to the following modules in the system:
– Module for registration of business entities in the field of industrial hemp;
– Module for registration and management of land plots;
– Sowing and harvesting module;
– Module of laboratory research;
– Extracts and reporting module;
– Interactive map.
The eCannabis system integrates with state registries and systems, in particular:
- The Unified State Register of Legal Entities, Individual Entrepreneurs and Public Organizations;
- The State Register of Real Property Rights;
- State Land Cadastre;
- The information and communication system is Crop Production.
To register in the Register, a Qualified Electronic Signature must be prepared and an application must be submitted through the electronic cabinet of the eHemp system.
The process of growing industrial hemp has been simplified in Ukraine
In 2024, after lengthy discussions, the Law “On Regulation of the Turnover of Plants of the Cannabis Genus for Medical, Industrial, Scientific and Scientific-Technical Purposes” was adopted.
According to experts, prior to the adoption of this law, Ukraine was only allowed to grow technical hemp with a psychoactive component of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) of up to 0.08%. In the European Union, this level is 0.20%, in the United States, Canada and China – 0.30%.
That is, before the adoption of the above law, Ukrainian producers could not use most types of industrial hemp registered in the world due to restrictions on the THC content. Now, the document regulates the circulation of cannabis not only in medical, but also in industrial and scientific activities and greatly simplifies the procedure for registering technical hemp crops.
What can be produced from industrial hemp
The potential for using fiber and fescue (part of the stems) from hemp is growing today. This is emphasized by Iryna Laiko, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Head of the Department of Hemp Breeding and Seed Production at the Institute of Bast Crops.
For example, there are already companies in Ukraine that build houses from hemp blocks. Processing into pulp also provides a wide range of possible products, including various types of packaging. Hemp fiber is used to make threads, fabric, insulation, and shoes.
“Our institute has developed varieties of hemp suitable for processing into bioenergy fuel, fiber (Hlukhivska 51), and oil (Glessia, Mykolaichyk). In addition, we are engaged in seed production, product processing, and cultivation and harvesting technology,” says Iryna Laiko.
According to her, more than half of the raw materials in hemp products can be used for pulp production.
“After primary processing of hemp, we get 30% of fibers and 70% of fescue, which is woody raw material. Several modern hemp primary processing plants are currently being built in Ukraine. And each of them can launch pulp production lines. I have seen many such examples in other countries. Probably, this will be the next step after these plants start operating at full capacity,” the scientist added.
According to the scientists of the Institute of Bast Crops, hemp is also unique in that it not only binds CO2 in the air, but also cleanses soils from heavy metals. This is especially important for Ukraine right now.
“Just imagine what is getting into our soil now, during the war. In the Chornobyl zone, we were going to launch an experiment to grow hemp to see how much it could cleanse the soil. But there is a global experience, the Americans clean the land in this way. That’s why I am convinced that this crop can be a lifesaver for our soils today and should be a priority,” says Iryna Laiko.
The expert also mentioned medical cannabis: in times of war, medicinal cannabis-based products can save Ukrainian soldiers’ lives.
In addition, according to Iryna Laiko, the Institute of Bast Crops has been conducting research on medical cannabis for quite some time, and today the non-psychotropic substances CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) can be obtained from the hemp varieties developed by the Institute, which are used to produce drops, medicinal ointments, balms and sprays, skin and hair care products, dietary supplements, etc.
